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FIFA Congress Bars Iran, Delays WWC Hosts, Raises Prize

4/30/2026

Summary

FIFA Blocks Taj

FIFA held its 76th Congress in Vancouver, inviting 211 members.
Iranian Football Federation president Mehdi Taj was denied entry to Canada, barring Iran from the Congress.
FIFA postponed host selections for the 2031 and 2035 Women’s World Cups, raised men’s World Cup prize pool to US$871 million, and approved rule changes cancelling yellow cards after the group stage, red-carding mouth-covering players, sanctioning protest exits and allowing Afghan women to represent Afghanistan.

Summary

Micallef Criticizes FIFA

EU sports commissioner Glenn Micallef criticized FIFA’s coordination for 2026 World Cup, warning that Department of Homeland Security (DHS) policies on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) may deter fans.
Iran’s chief said the team will not travel to United States without guarantees from President Donald Trump.
Lawmakers accuse Trump of creating a toxic environment, prompting FIFA to state safety and security as priorities.

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FIFA Blocks Taj

FIFA held its 76th Congress in Vancouver, inviting 211 members.
Iranian Football Federation president Mehdi Taj was denied entry to Canada, barring Iran from the Congress.
FIFA postponed host selections for the 2031 and 2035 Women’s World Cups, raised men’s World Cup prize pool to US$871 million, and approved rule changes cancelling yellow cards after the group stage, red-carding mouth-covering players, sanctioning protest exits and allowing Afghan women to represent Afghanistan.

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